A healthy gerbil diet is a quality gerbil seed and pellet mix, with a few fresh vegetables and the occasional protein treat added by hand. Avoid sugary fruit, citrus, chocolate, onions and other foods that can upset a gerbil’s gut. Here is the full list.
The Daily Base: Gerbil Mix or Pellets
Choose a food made specifically for gerbils, ideally with a mix of seeds, grains and some fortified pellets. A typical adult gerbil eats roughly one tablespoon of food a day. Replace what’s left each morning and watch for gerbils that pick out only the fatty seeds (like sunflower), which leads to weight gain. If yours does, feed a plain pellet or offer the mix in smaller portions. For picks, see our guide to the best gerbil food.
Safe Vegetables and Greens
Offer a small piece, about the size of a thumbnail, a few times a week, and remove leftovers the same day:
- Carrot, broccoli, cucumber, bell pepper, zucchini
- Leafy greens such as kale, romaine and dandelion leaves, washed well
- Peas and a little sweet corn
More ideas in our list of vegetables for gerbils. Introduce each new food in a tiny amount to watch for loose stools.
Fruit: Rare Treats Only
Fruit is high in sugar. Small pieces of apple (no seeds), banana or blueberry are fine as an occasional treat, no more than once a week.
Protein and Healthy Extras
- Dried or live mealworms or crickets, a couple at a time
- A bit of plain cooked egg
- Plain, unsalted seeds and grains, and timothy hay for fiber and nesting
- A few unsalted nuts, rarely, because they are fatty
Foods to Avoid
- Chocolate, candy and sugary cereals
- Onion, garlic and chives
- Citrus fruits (their acidity can upset the stomach)
- Raw potato, rhubarb and avocado
- Salty, fried or processed human snacks
- Grapes and raisins, which are best skipped
- Dairy and meat, which gerbils can’t digest well
Our guide on what not to feed gerbils goes into more detail.
Water and Feeding Tips
Provide fresh water daily in a sipper bottle. Feed at the same time each day, and clear out stored fresh food so it doesn’t spoil in the nest. Gerbils hoard, so check hiding spots regularly.
Bottom Line
Build the diet on a good gerbil mix, add a few fresh vegetables each week, and treat fruit and fatty seeds as rare extras. If your gerbil stops eating, has diarrhea or looks unwell, call an exotic-pet vet promptly.
